Ruth Heinig named Valparaiso's Distinguished Alumna

Sept. 23, 2005

KALAMAZOO--Dr. Ruth Heinig, professor emerita of communication
at Western Michigan University, has been named the 2005 Distinguished
Alumna for Valparaiso University, where she earned her bachelor's
degree. Heinig will receive the honor during Valparaiso's Oct.
7-9 homecoming celebration.

The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award is the highest distinction
the Valparaiso University Alumni Association bestows. The award
honors alumni who have enhanced the prestige of their alma mater
by virtue of their character, integrity, and nationally recognized
personal accomplishments.

Nationally recognized for her contributions in the field of
creative drama for children, Heinig was inducted into the College
of Fellows of the American Theatre in 1996 and received the 1992
American Alliance of Theatre and Education Creative Drama Award.
She is the author of several books, including "Drama Improvisation
With Favorite Tales," which received the AATE's 1993 Distinguished
Book Award.

Heinig and her husband, Dr. Ed J. Heinig, WMU professor emeritus
of education, co-chaired the University's 2003 Centennial Celebration
Committee. Both taught at WMU for nearly 30 years before retiring
in 1992.

Ruth Heinig earned her master's and doctoral degrees from
the University of Pittsburgh. She was an instructor of speech
and English for three years at Carlow University prior to joining
the WMU faculty in 1964.